In its sinuous lines and flamboyant curves inspired by the natural world, antique Art Nouveau furniture reflects a desire for freedom from the stuffy social and artistic strictures of the Victorian era. The Art Nouveau movement developed in the decorative arts in France and Britain in the early 1880s and quickly became a dominant aesthetic style in Western Europe and the United States.
ORIGINS OF ART NOUVEAU FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF ART NOUVEAU FURNITURE DESIGN
ART NOUVEAU FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ANTIQUE ART NOUVEAU FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
Art Nouveau — which spanned furniture, architecture, jewelry and graphic design — can be easily identified by its lush, flowing forms suggested by flowers and plants, as well as the lissome tendrils of sea life. Although Art Deco and Art Nouveau were both in the forefront of turn-of-the-20th-century design, they are very different styles — Art Deco is marked by bold, geometric shapes while Art Nouveau incorporates dreamlike, floral motifs. The latter’s signature motif is the "whiplash" curve — a deep, narrow, dynamic parabola that appears as an element in everything from chair arms to cabinetry and mirror frames.
The visual vocabulary of Art Nouveau was particularly influenced by the soft colors and abstract images of nature seen in Japanese art prints, which arrived in large numbers in the West after open trade was forced upon Japan in the 1860s. Impressionist artists were moved by the artistic tradition of Japanese woodblock printmaking, and Japonisme — a term used to describe the appetite for Japanese art and culture in Europe at the time — greatly informed Art Nouveau.
The Art Nouveau style quickly reached a wide audience in Europe via advertising posters, book covers, illustrations and other work by such artists as Aubrey Beardsley, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Alphonse Mucha. While all Art Nouveau designs share common formal elements, different countries and regions produced their own variants.
In Scotland, the architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh developed a singular, restrained look based on scale rather than ornament; a style best known from his narrow chairs with exceedingly tall backs, designed for Glasgow tea rooms. Meanwhile in France, Hector Guimard — whose iconic 1896 entry arches for the Paris Metro are still in use — and Louis Majorelle produced chairs, desks, bed frames and cabinets with sweeping lines and rich veneers.
The Art Nouveau movement was known as Jugendstil ("Youth Style") in Germany, and in Austria the designers of the Vienna Secession group — notably Koloman Moser, Josef Hoffmann and Joseph Maria Olbrich — produced a relatively austere iteration of the Art Nouveau style, which mixed curving and geometric elements.
Art Nouveau revitalized all of the applied arts. Ceramists such as Ernest Chaplet and Edmond Lachenal created new forms covered in novel and rediscovered glazes that produced thick, foam-like finishes. Bold vases, bowls and lighting designs in acid-etched and marquetry cameo glass by Émile Gallé and the Daum Freres appeared in France, while in New York the glass workshop-cum-laboratory of Louis Comfort Tiffany — the core of what eventually became a multimedia decorative-arts manufactory called Tiffany Studios — brought out buoyant pieces in opalescent favrile glass.
Jewelry design was revolutionized, as settings, for the first time, were emphasized as much as, or more than, gemstones. A favorite Art Nouveau jewelry motif was insects (think of Tiffany, in his famed Dragonflies glass lampshade).
Like a mayfly, Art Nouveau was short-lived. The sensuous, languorous style fell out of favor early in the 20th century, deemed perhaps too light and insubstantial for European tastes in the aftermath of World War I. But as the designs on 1stDibs demonstrate, Art Nouveau retains its power to fascinate and seduce.
There are ways to tastefully integrate a touch of Art Nouveau into even the most modern interior — browse an extraordinary collection of original antique Art Nouveau furniture on 1stDibs, which includes decorative objects, seating, tables, garden elements and more.
Vintage Gold plate Cigar Cutter by Donatus, Western Germany 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A superb vintage Donatus cigar cutter from Solingen, Germany, dating to the 1960s. Expertly crafted in gilded metal, this piece exemplifies the exceptional quality and precision for ...
Metal, Gold Plate
Beautiful Silver Sacred Heart Ex Voto with Cherub Angel, Antique European Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Handmade Religious Ex-Voto A striking and delicately crafted religious Ex-Voto, sourced from an estate sale in Parma, Italy. The piece appears to be made from thin, lightw...
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
Large Antique Catholic Reliquary Box Crucifix Pendant with 11 Relics of Saints
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This antique 19th Century metal reliquary is a finely handcrafted devotional object containing 11 third-class relics of saints, each identified with paper scrolls and set against a r...
Metal, Brass
Antique Germany Cutlery Pocket Knife Nuremberg Beer Scene 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
We are pleased to offer a charming early 20th-century souvenir pocket knife produced as an advertising piece for the historic Jacob Kann Company of Nuremberg, Germany. Once a well-kn...
Metal, Brass
Antique Large Sacred Heart Ex-Voto, Flaming Heart, PGR (Per Grazia Ricevuta)
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Handmade large Religious Ex-Voto A striking and delicately crafted religious Ex-Voto, sourced from an estate sale in Parma, Italy. The piece appears to be made from thin, ...
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
Antique Dog catching Duck Figural Cigar Cutter, Austria, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early Metal Cigar Cutter, Austria, circa 1900s A rare and finely detailed cigar cutter in silver plate metal, crafted in the early 1900s or possibly earlier. This exceptional piece ...
Metal, Silver Plate
Two Art Nouveau Lorgnette Opera Glasses Folding Spectacles Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Two beautiful antique lorgnettes (handled spectacles) in a nostalgic style, featuring ornate handle designs. These glasses utilize a folding mechanism where the lenses overlap; opera...
Silver
Rare Carl Deffner Jugendstil Hammered Brass Table Gong, Germany, circa 1900
By Carl Deffner
Located in Antwerp, BE
This rare and highly decorative Art Nouveau dinner gong was created around 1900 by Carl Deffner of Esslingen, Germany, one of the leading manufacturers of artistic metalwork during t...
Brass
Antique National Cash Register Company Art Nouveau Mechanical Cash Register
Located in Milano, IT
Antique National Cash Register Company Art Nouveau Mechanical Cash Register Description A fascinating mechanical cash register manufactured by the renowned National Cash Register C...
Brass, Cast Iron
Beautiful Silver Sacred Heart Ex Voto with Cherub Angel, Antique European Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Handmade Religious Ex-Voto A striking and delicately crafted religious Ex-Voto, sourced from an estate sale in Parma, Italy. The piece appears to be made from thin, lightw...
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
Alphonse Mucha's Documents Decoratifs (Complete in Four Portfolios)
Located in New York, NY
Suite of 72 lithographic plates on wove paper, many in color, plus expository pages (title page, half-title page, preface) and four covers. Published in Paris in 1902 by Librairie Ce...
Paper
French 19th Century Glass Dome with Brass Decoration
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Popular in the 19th century, domed glass displays offered protection for portico clocks and flora & fauna specimens without compromising visibility. Inside this cloche is an oval...
Silver, Brass
Silver Lady Woman Ex Voto religious Folk Art, Antique European, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A cute petite religious Ex Voto. I do not know what it is made of, thin and light filigree silver or silver plated metal. It is handmade, embossed an...
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
Art Nouveau by Klaus-Jurgen Sembach
By TASCHEN
Located in Bradenton, FL
Art Nouveau by Klaus-Jurgen Sembach. Softcover book, published in 2002 by Taschen. Printed in Italy, illustrated, 240 pages.
Paper
Treasury of Art Nouveau Design & Ornament
Located in Bradenton, FL
Treasury of Art Nouveau Design & Ornament, a pictorial archive of 577 illustrations, selected by Carol Belanger Grafton. Softcover book, published in 1980 by Dover Publications, Inc....
Paper
Underwood No. 5 Typewriter, cast iron , New York, circa 1917
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing Underwood No. 5 Typewriter, New York, circa 1917, an icon in the history of typing. This typewriter is a classic among 20th-century typewriters. The mechanism works perfect...
Iron
Colmont Ft Paris Mother of Pearl French Opera Glasses With Leather Case, 1890s
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning set of opera or theatre glasses in original leather case. By Colmont FT Paris France, Circa 1890s Gorgeous Mother-of-pearl and abalone inset on brass cylindrical body w...
Brass
Beautiful Silver Sacred Heart Ex Voto with Cherub Angel, Antique European, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Handmade Religious Ex-Voto A striking and delicately crafted religious Ex-Voto, sourced from an estate sale in Parma, Italy. The piece appears to be made from thin, lightw...
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
Niederwald Monument Souvenir Building Architectural Model Germany 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative building sculpture as a souvenir. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is due to age. Made of metal. This item was purchased as a souvenir at a Grand Tour in Europe and was probably made in the 1910s or earlier. Found at an estate sale in Brussels, Belgium. A nice addition to any collection or just to display and put on display as a memento of places visited. The Niederwald monument (German: Niederwalddenkmal) is a monument located in the Niederwald, near Rüdesheim am Rhein in Hesse...
Metal
Beautiful Silver Sacred Heart Ex Voto with Cherub Angel, Antique European, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Handmade Religious Ex-Voto A striking and delicately crafted religious Ex-Voto, sourced from an estate sale in Parma, Italy. The piece appears to be made from thin, lightw...
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
Claude Lalanne, a Rare Gilt-Bronze Dragonfly Frame, France, C. 1985
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Claude Lalanne (1925-2019) A rare gilt-bronze dragonfly frame, France C. 1985, Signed on reverse Cl. Lalanne Artcurial 25/450. Measures: 4" high x 3...
Bronze
Jean-Michel Basquiat The Paris Review, 1982 (Basquiat Tuxedo)
By (after) Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jean-Michel Basquiat The Paris Review: 1982 The Paris Review book, featuring an interior spread of Jean-Michel Basquiat's "Tuxedo" (1982). Imagery features 8 detailed segments of thi...
Paper
Walking stick, silver with moonstones, by Georg Anton Scheid. Austria 1905.
Located in Milan, IT
Art Nouveau walking stick: T-shaped handle, designed and crafted by Georg Anton Scheid, in silver with moonstone cabochons. A spectacular, well-proportioned Art Nouveau cage composed...
Stone, Metal, Silver
$475Sale Price|26% Off
Gorham Art Nouveau Sterling Buckle, 1902
By Gorham
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Gorham Art Nouveau sterling buckle, 1902. Marks for Gorham Sterling and B1949 copyrighted with 1902 (year). Beautiful open floral nouveau whiplash des...
Sterling Silver
Jeweled silver walking stick depicting chrysanthemums, signed Tiffany, USA 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
Walking Stick: A jeweled cane, a curved handle in sterling silver, 925/1000, embossed and chiselled, featuring the Tiffany Chrysanthemum floral motif. The design is distinguished by ...
Silver
Large Antique Traditional Wooden Artist Mannequin Model, Italy 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A handmade wooden Artist mannequin model - all joints move as they should. Found on a Estate sale in Modena, Italy. Shows some minor wear - but looks beautiful on display! Some scrat...
Metal
Early 20th Century Silver Sacred Heart Ex Voto with Cherub Angel, Antique Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Handmade Religious Ex-Voto A striking and delicately crafted religious Ex-Voto, sourced from an estate sale in Parma, Italy. The piece appears to be made from thin, lightw...
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
René Lalique 1912 Three Piece Clear Glass on Purple Foil Biches Brooch
By René Lalique
Located in Franklin Park, IL
René Lalique 1912 Three Piece Clear Glass on Purple Foil Biches Brooch This brooch measures: 4.25 wide x 0.75 deep x 1.25 inches high Excellent Condition. We take our photos in a ...
Foil
Beautiful Silver Sacred Heart Ex Voto with Cherub Angel, Antique European Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Handmade Religious Ex-Voto A striking and delicately crafted religious Ex-Voto, sourced from an estate sale in Parma, Italy. The piece appears to be made from thin, lightw...
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
Antique German Art Nouveau Jewelry Memory Pin Brooch Ormolu with Stone, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This lovely stylish sentimental brooch was made to keep a photo of loved ones. Made in Germany, circa 1900. The brooch has a picture inside. It has a blue stone and also has a hangin...
Ormolu
Antique German Art Nouveau Jewelry Pocket Watch Chain with Fob, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This lovely pocket watch chain with sentimental FOB, pendant with a picture of a loved one, is still a beauty. It is circa 1900s or older. A very pretty antique jewellery item whic...
Ormolu, Metal
Lot of Two Silver Sacred Heart Ex Voto with Cherub Angel, Antique European 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Lot of two Handmade Religious Ex-Voto A striking and delicately crafted religious Ex-Voto, sourced from an estate sale in Parma, Italy. The piece appears to be made from t...
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
Dawn of Aviation “Navigation Aerienne” Commemorative Medal, by A. Morlon
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a bronze “Navigation Aerienne” commemorative triptych medal. The plaque was designed by the legendary French medalist Pierre-Alexande Morlon and struck in 1909 by the Mon...
Bronze
AUSTRIA 1900 Antique Cigar Cutter Sculpted Hunting Dog In .900 Sterling Silver
By Oskar Dietrich
Located in Miami, FL
An Austrian art-nouveau cigar cutter made by Oskar Dietrich. This is a beautiful cigar cutter created in Austria during the late art-nouveau period, back in the 1900-1920, The cigar...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Jugendstil walking stick, silver depicting a cicada, by Janesich. Austria 1905.
By Janesich
Located in Milan, IT
Art Nouveau walking stick: curved handle, designed and crafted by Leopoldo Janesich, in silver with gilded reliefs. An imposing and deeply carved stick. Thick ribbons in pure Art Nou...
Opal, Metal, Silver
Beautiful Silver Sacred Heart Ex Voto with Cherub Angel, Antique European Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Handmade Religious Ex-Voto A striking and delicately crafted religious Ex-Voto, sourced from an estate sale in Parma, Italy. The piece appears to be made from thin, lightw...
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
Original Documented Otto Wagner's Private Belonging Dining Room Chandelier
Located in Vienna, AT
Chandelier for the private dining room in Otto Wagners famous "Erste Villa Wagner," Hüttelbergstrasse, Vienna similar to the crown-rim of the Romanic and Gothic period (see also Jarm...
Brass, Bronze
Bibendum Michelin Man Bronze Car Mascot, Hood Ornament, Automobilia, France 1909
By Michelin Man
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Bibendum Michelin Man Bronze Car Mascot, Hood Ornament, Automobilia, France 1909. This is a highly collectible Bibendum Michelin Man bronze car mascot, Hood Ornament, Mascotte Voitur...
Bronze
Art Nouveau jeweled cane with girl's face, Maison Fonsèque et Olive, Paris 1900.
By Maison Fonsèque et Olive
Located in Milan, IT
A jeweled Art Nouveau walking stick. The handle, made of honey-colored solid tortoiseshell and gilded silver, depicts the face of a girl with long hair that wraps around the entire p...
Metal, Silver
Aachen Cathedral Souvenir Building Architectural Model vintage German 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative building sculpture as a souvenir. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is due to age. Made of metal. This item was purchased as a souvenir at a Grand Tour in Europe an...
Metal
Brass and Copper Art Nouveau Cigar Cutter by Ignatius Taschner, Germany, 1910s.
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Carl Deffner
Located in Malmö, SE
An elegant Art Nouveau / Jugendstil / Arts and Crafts cigar cutter with amazing patina, in the shape of a Maribou stork. The bird's-eye is the opening for the cigar and the beak is t...
Brass, Copper, Steel
Sterling Silver Horse Head Equestrian / Horse Riding Whip c1920
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
The craftsmanship on this vintage riding crop is remarkable—especially the Silver handle shaped like a horse head. It feels like more than just an equestrian tool; it’s a sculptural ...
Silver
Alfons /Alphonse Mucha brooch "Peacock's feather" No 16/1000 silver, chrysoprase
Located in Stockholm, SE
A sterling silver brooch model "Peacock's feather" with Chrysoprase made by Jarmila Plocková (Muchas granddaughter) after a sketch by Alphonse Mucha. With certificate from Mucha Fou...
Sterling Silver
Léon Saussine Antique Atlas Puzzle, Colorful World Map, ca. 1900
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Complete French Atlas Puzzle by Léon Saussine, Seven Geographic Maps, Chromolithograph, France, circa 1900 A rare and complete French educational atlas puzzle edited by Léon Saussin...
Paper
Large Antique Catholic Reliquary Box Crucifix Pendant with 23 Relics of Saints
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This antique 19th Century metal reliquary is a finely handcrafted devotional object containing 23 third-class relics of saints, each identified with paper scrolls and set against a r...
Metal, Brass
Beautiful Silver Sacred Heart Ex Voto with Cherub Angel, Antique European Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Handmade Religious Ex-Voto A striking and delicately crafted religious Ex-Voto, sourced from an estate sale in Parma, Italy. The piece appears to be made from thin, lightw...
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
Art Nouveau silver walking stick with dragon, by Eugène Lefebvre, France 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
A beautifully carved Art Nouveau silver cane knob depicting a dragon-lizard among flowers. The carving is extremely realistic, right down to the reptile's prehensile claws and finely...
Opal, Silver, Brass, Iron
Antique Dollhouse Pewter Bird Cage with Bird, By Babette Schweizer, Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An outstanding bird cage in painted soft metal with a colorful Bird. To hang in your dollhouse or to put on a table in a salon or a parlor. Made of pewter. Nice for every decoration...
Glass
Art Nouveau Sculpture by Alastair Duncan 1978
Located in Bradenton, FL
Art Nouveau Sculpture by Alastair Duncan. Softcover book, published in 1978 by Rizzoli. Printed in Great Britain, illustrated, 95 pages.
Paper
Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen, Illustrated by Kay Nielsen, 1924
By Hans Christian Andersen, Kay Nielsen
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Andersen, Hans Christian. Fairy Tales. Garden City: Garden City Publishing Company, Inc. 1924. Illustrated by Kay Nielsen. Octavo. In navy cloth boards, titled and stamped in orange ...
Fabric, Paper
Early 20th Century Sterling on Bronze Yacht Trophy – The Duane Cup, 1914
Located in Northport, MI
A striking sterling-on-bronze presentation trophy, awarded as The Duane Cup in 1914 by the historic Annisquam Yacht Club (est. 1898, Gloucester, Massachusetts). This two-handled lov...
Sterling Silver, Bronze
$340Sale Price|20% Off
Basquiat Keith Haring The Paris Review (set of 2)
By (after) Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring: The Paris Review 1982-1990 (set of 2): Vintage editions of The Paris Review, with one uniquely featuring brilliant Keith Haring 1982 cover art &...
Paper
Beautiful Silver Sacred Heart Ex Voto with Cherub Angel, Antique Italy 1929
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Handmade Religious Ex-Voto A striking and delicately crafted religious Ex-Voto, sourced from an estate sale in Parma, Italy. The piece appears to be made from thin, lightw...
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
Antique Pocket Knife Nuremberg Water Fountain & Castle Scene 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
We are pleased to offer a charming early 20th-century souvenir pocket knife produced as an Souvenir of Nuremberg, Germany.. This vintage pocket knife features a relief of the famous ...
Metal
The Tree Fairy and the Stories She Told by Minna B. Noyes, Illustrated, 1915
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Noyes, Minna B. The Tree Fairy and the Stories She Told. New York: Parker P. Simmons Co., Inc., 1915. Early printing. Small octavo. In original tan cloth boards, illustrated front b...
Fabric, Paper
Emile Hurtre an Art Nouveau Billiard Table Made by E. Gueret Médaille d’Or, 1889
Located in London, GB
Emile Hurtré French Art Nouveau Billiard table. Made by award-winning artisan E. Gueret (Médaille d’Or 1889). Hurtré is best known for h...
Walnut
Beautiful Silver Sacred Heart Ex Voto with Cherub Angel, Antique European, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Handmade Religious Ex-Voto A striking and delicately crafted religious Ex-Voto, sourced from an estate sale in Parma, Italy. The piece appears to be made from thin, lightw...
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
Antique German Art Nouveau Jewelry Faith, Love, Hope Brooch Ormolu, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This lovely stylish sentimental brooch to give it to a loved one. Made in Germany, circa 1900. A very pretty piece of antique jewellery which would make a fine addition to any colle...
Ormolu
Walking stick, silver handle with malachite by Otto Prutscher Austria 1920
Located in Milan, IT
Art Nouveau walking stick: T-shaped handle, designed and executed by Otto Prutscher, in silver with malachite cabochons. A beautifully executed handle that integrates the graceful li...
Malachite, Metal, Silver
Tin Toy Bread Box Doll House Kitchen Accessory Antique German Marklin, 1900s
By Märklin
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare antique dollhouse miniature is for sale. This was purchased at an exceptional collectors Estate Sale Vienna, Austria, but this beautiful piece originally comes from Germany. This is a rare enameled metal dollhouse lunch box or bread box made by Marklin in Germany. This is in very good condition with minor loss of enamel and is designed to fit in a larger dolls house or kitchen. Translated, the script means “give us this day...
Metal